Cranberry based dietary supplement and dental hygiene product

ABSTRACT

A cranberry based dietary supplement or dental hygiene product is revealed with enhanced flavor characteristics. Cranberry sources are combined with extracts of the fruit of Lou Han Kuo and/or extracts from the leaves of  Stevia rebaudiana  and/or extracts from the leaves of Chinese Blackberry. The resulting product is a pleasant tasting dietary supplement, which is easily absorbed by the body in liquid form, and provides substantially therapeutic effects.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to cranberry based compositionswith improved taste, and to a method for using such compositions asdietary supplements, therapeutic supplements and/or as dental hygieneproducts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The uses of cranberry as a therapeutic supplement are manifoldand well documented in the scientific literature. Current researcharound the world is substantiating further claims for traditional herbalmedicines.

[0003] The most well documented therapeutic effect of cranberry concernsurinary tract infections. For many years it has been recognized thatcranberry juice helps to relieve and possible cure urinary tractinfections such a bladder and urethra infections. Originally, thiseffect was considered to be a result of lowered urinary pH (increasedacidity) after ingestion of cranberry. The lowered pH was thought tomake the urine an inhospitable milieu for the growth of pathogenicbacteria, such as E. Coli. The bacteria would not grow and would bewashed through the system and excreted from the body with the urine. Ithas recently been discovered, that certain components of cranberry, theproanthocyanidins, possess specific properties which inhibit theadhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the wall of the urinary tract.Without a hold, the bacteria are easily flushed with the urine andexcreted. In some cases, cranberry has been at least as, if not more,effective in preventing urinary tract infections than the commonlyprescribed antibiotics.

[0004] Furthermore, recent studies have shown that cranberry is a verypotent antioxidant and can help to protect cells from free-radicaldamage. Free radical damage has been implicated in a great many diseasesand conditions, from Parkinson's disease to coronary heart disease andcancer.

[0005] Recent studies have also demonstrated the inhibiting effects ofcranberry on Helicobacter pylori, a pathogenic bacteria responsible forulcers. Cranberry may have further use in the treatment and preventionof heart disease, breast cancer and periodontal disease.

[0006] Even before the appearance of scientific literature, many peoplehave been consuming cranberry products as either therapeutic herbalsupplements or refreshing drink or both. Most products presented asdietary supplements are in the form of capsules and tablets.

[0007] The cranberry extracts and powders utilized in these products areof varying qualities, ranging from spray-dried cranberry juice powder todehydrated whole cranberry powder. By far, the latter contains more ofthe components in cranberry, which are considered responsible for itstherapeutic effects. Most of the products on the market are manufacturedwith the cranberry juice spray dried onto maltodextrine or othercarriers. This process requires prolonged exposure to elevatedtemperatures, which are suspected to degrade some of the therapeuticallyactive ingredients of cranberry.

[0008] In the case of capsules, the spray-dried powder is packaged ineither hard gelatin or chemically modified wood cellulose capsules. Manyconsumers object to the use of these substances as either (a) animal byproducts or (b) chemically derived. Capsules pose a problem for theelderly and young, who may experience difficulties in swallowing suchobjects. Furthermore, the delivery and absorption of the cranberrypowder in the digestive system is affected by the use of capsules, whichmust dissolve to release their contents. On the other hand, drinks whichcontain sufficient cranberry content to achieve beneficial effects canbe objectionable because of the intense acidity of the cranberry.

[0009] Thus, it is an object of this invention to reveal a cranberrybased composition with sufficient cranberry concentration such that itprovides substantial beneficial and therapeutic effects when consumedyet has a pleasant flavor. It is a further object to this invention toenhance the therapeutic benefits of cranberry by combining it withflavor enhancing additives which themselves have beneficial therapeuticproperties but which do not have the problems associated with the use ofsugar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The inventors herein propose combining cranberry juice, cranberryjuice powder or whole cranberry fruit powder with one or more additivesselected from the group consisting of extracts derived from the fruitsof Lou Han Kuo (i.e. Lou Han), extracts derived from the leaves ofstevia, and/or, extracts derived from the leaves of Chinese Blackberryto produce an aqueous drink. The inventors have discovered that dietarysupplements prepared in accordance with the foregoing produce a greattasting herbal product which possesses many beneficial therapeuticproperties, including the ability to relieve urinary tract infections,antioxidant properties, antibiotic properties and the ability to soothethe digestive system.

[0011] Alternatively, the foregoing herbal combination can be formulatedinto a toothpaste or dental gel by combining the foregoing activeingredients with a thickener or gel or they can be formulated into aneffective mouthwash. These oral hygiene products produce a delicious andeffective natural alternative to typical synthetic toothpastes andmouthwashes currently available.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The inventors herein propose a dietary supplement and/or oralhygiene products comprising:

[0013] (a) cranberry juice, cranberry juice powder and/or cranberrywhole fruit powder; and

[0014] (b) at least one additive selected form the group consisting of(i) extracts of the fruits of Lou Han, (ii) extracts from the leaves ofStevia, and (iii) extracts from the leaves of Chinese Blackberry.

[0015] Additional optional ingredients include xylitol, fructose orother preferably low glycemic sugars, vitamins, minerals, other herbalextracts, stabilizers such as Chinese Licorice root extracts, andthickeners or gelling agents. The combination of the foregoingingredients provides a great tasting dietary supplement or dentalhygiene product which possesses the therapeutic properties provided forherein.

[0016] The dietary supplement or oral hygiene product described hereinrequires a source of cranberry. The inventors have found cranberryjuice, (including cranberry juice concentrate), cranberry juice powder,and/or whole cranberry fruit powder to be useful sources of cranberryfor use in this invention. Cranberry juice powder and whole cranberrypowder are preferred because of their concentrated form. Whole cranberrypowder is most preferred because it presents the most naturalconcentrated form of cranberry with the lowest potential of losingbeneficial cranberry constituents through its processing. In choosing asource of cranberry, it is preferred that the source of cranberry not besubjected to high temperatures in its manufacture, since excessiveheating is believed to degrade certain beneficial constituents ofcranberry. The concentration of cranberry in the dietary supplement ororal hygiene product, on a dry basis, may range from about 1% to 25% byweight. In the dietary supplement, the concentration of cranberry, on adry basis, is preferably from about 5% to 15% by weight. In the oralhygiene product, the concentration of cranberry, on a dry basis, ispreferably from about 1% to 5% by weight.

[0017] The dietary supplement or oral hygiene product described hereinalso requires at least one additive selected from the group consistingof (i) extracts of the fruits of Lou Han, (ii) extracts from the leavesof Stevia, and (iii) extracts from the leaves of Chinese Blackberry.Preferably more than one or all of the foregoing additives are presentin the composition. The concentration of the foregoing additives in thecomposition may range in concentration depending upon the concentrationof the extracts themselves. Generally, these extracts are provided asdried powders and if so, the concentration of these additives in thecomposition of this invention will range from about 0.05% to 6% byweight but is preferably from about 0.05% to 1% by weight.

[0018] Lou Han (Kuo) fruit comes from Momordica grosvenori also calledSiraitia grosvenorii. Lou Han is native to the People's Republic ofChina and Japan and is an edible fruit having an intensely sweet taste.It is reputed to possess healing properties for lung congestion, colds,sore throats, digestive and urinary disturbances, as well as antibioticand antiseptic properties. Extracts of both fresh and dried Lou Han areavailable throughout the world, and can be readily purchased. Onesuitable extract is available from the Shaanxi Youthsun Company locatedin China. Various methods are known for preparing extracts of the LouHan fruit, and other natural sources, such as those methods described inthe U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,124,442 and 4,084,010, the teachings each of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0019]Stevia rebaudiana (Stevia) is also a plant which is native to thePeople's Republic of China. Extracts from the leaves of Stevia arecommonly known and have been used as a natural sweetener in Asia formany years. Studies have demonstrated that extracts from the leaves ofStevia can have a variety of beneficial therapeutic effects includingantibiotic properties especially against E.Coli, vasodilatationproperties especially in the kidney, anti-hypertensive effects,beneficial effects on pancreatic beta cells, and enhancing the secretionof insulin. Extracts from the leaves of Stevia are known and can bepurchased for use in formulating the compositions described herein.These extracts can be prepared using the same or similar techniques usedfor preparing extracts for Lou Han. One suitable extract is availablefrom the Shaanxi Youthsun Company located in China.

[0020] Extracts from the leaves of Chinese Blackberry (RubusSuavissimus) are also known and can be purchased for use in formulatingthe compositions described herein. One suitable extract is availablefrom the Shaanxi Youthsun Company located in China. The activeingredients in these extracts are believed to comprise diterpeneglycosides. Extracts of the leaves of Chinese Blackberry have been usedas natural sweeteners. A variety of therapeutic benefits have beenascribed to extracts of the leaves of Chinese Blackberry includingrelief from pre-menstrual syndrome, beneficial effects upon the kidney,and other beneficial effects. Extracts of the leaves of ChineseBlackberry can be prepared using the same or similar techniques used forpreparing extracts of Lou Han.

[0021] As noted, other optional materials may be included in thecomposition of this invention. Vitamins, minerals or other herbalextracts may be added for particular purposes or effects. Sugars such asfructose may be added but are not recommended. Artificial sweetenerssuch as xylitol may be added and may be beneficial in formulatingtoothpaste or dental gels from the compositions of this invention.Preferably the composition is substantially free of sucrose. Further,when formulating toothpastes or dental gels with the composition of thisinvention, thickeners or gelling agents should be employed. Otherflavoring agents such as natural cranberry flavor may also be utilized.Glycerin has also proven to be a beneficial additive.

[0022] Stabilizers for the compositions of this invention may also beemployed to preserve the flavor and other properties of the product. Theinventors have found that extracts from the root of the Chinese licorice(Glycyrrhiza uralensis) have proven to be excellent stabilizers for theproducts described herein as well as flavor enhancers. Extracts of theroot of Chinese licorice are known and can be purchased for use in thisinvention. One suitable extract is available from the Shaanxi YouthsunCompany located in China. These extracts have been used for theirbeneficial medicinal properties for years. If used, the concentration ofChinese licorice extract in the composition of this invention maypreferably range from 0.001% to 1.0% by weight.

[0023] In preparing the compositions of this invention for use asdietary supplements, the ingredients noted herein are merely combinedwith water in the concentrations noted to form a dietary supplementdrink. It is recommended that the consumer of the product ingest threeor more four ounce servings of the product per day, such thatapproximately 500 mg of cranberry on a dry basis, are ingested per day.In preparing the compositions described herein as toothpaste or a dentalgel, the ingredients taught herein are combined with small quantities ofwater and appropriate thickeners or gelling agents,.

[0024] The compositions of this invention are further described in thefollowing examples which should be taken as illustrative only and notlimiting in any manner.

EXAMPLE I

[0025] A cranberry based dietary supplement was prepared using thefollowing ingredients: Component % by Weight Whole cranberry power¹ 1.0Lou Han extract powder² 2.5 Chinese licorice extract³ 0.1 Naturalcranberry flavor⁴ 2.5 Glycerin 33.0 Water 51.9

[0026] The foregoing ingredients were blended to form a pleasant tastingdietary supplement which is believed to exhibit the beneficialtherapeutic effects noted herein.

EXAMPLE II

[0027] Example I was repeated except that Stevia extract powder(available from Shaanxi Company) was substituted for the Lou Han extractpowder at the same concentration. The same results were achieved.

EXAMPLE III

[0028] Example I was repeated except that Chinese Blackberry extractpowder (available from Shaanxi Company) was substituted for the Lou Hanextract powder at the same concentrations. The same results wereachieved.

EXAMPLE IV

[0029] A cranberry based dietary supplement was prepared using thefollowing ingredients: Component % by Weight Whole cranberry power 1.0Lou Han extract powder 1.5 Fructose 2.5 Chinese licorice extract 0.1Natural cranberry flavor 2.5 Glycerin 33.0 Water 50.4

[0030] The foregoing ingredients were blended to form a pleasant tastingdietary supplement which is believed to exhibit the beneficialtherapeutic effects noted herein.

EXAMPLE V

[0031] A cranberry based dental gel was prepared using the followingingredients: Component % by Weight Whole cranberry power 5.0 Lou Hanextract powder 1.5 Chinese licorice extract 0.1 Gel base 93.4

[0032] The foregoing ingredients were blended to form a beneficialdental gel.

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition useful as a dietary supplement oran oral hygiene product, which composition comprises: (a) a source ofcranberry selected from the group consisting of cranberry juice,cranberry juice concentrate, cranberry juice powder, cranberry wholefruit powder and combinations of the foregoing; and (b) at least oneadditive selected from the group consisting of (i) extracts of thefruits of Lou Han Kuo, (ii) extracts of the leaves of Stevia, and (iii)extracts of the leaves of Chinese Blackberry.
 2. A composition accordingto claim 1 wherein the composition also comprises at least one materialselected from the group consisting of extract of Chinese licorice root,vitamins, fructose, glycerin, thickeners, gelling agents, xylitol.
 3. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein the composition issubstantially free of sucrose.
 4. A composition according to claim 1wherein the concentration of the source of cranberry, on a dry basis, isfrom about 5% to 15% by weight.
 5. A composition according to claim 1wherein the concentration of the additive(s), on a dry basis, is fromabout 0.05% to 5.0% by weight.
 6. A composition according to claim 2wherein the concentration of extract of Chinese licorice root is fromabout 0.001% to 1.0%.
 7. A composition according to claim 2 wherein thecomposition is substantially free of sucrose.
 8. A composition accordingto claim 2 wherein the concentration of the source of cranberry, on adry basis, is from about 5% to 15% by weight.
 9. A composition accordingto claim 2 wherein the concentration of the additive(s), on a dry basis,is from about 0.05% to 5.0% by weight.